Collection to benefit WWII vet, 87, robbed in Waterford

Efforts are under way to help an 87-year-old World War II veteran, who was recently robbed in his Waterford Township home.

Fred Thompson, the main caregiver of a wife with Alzheimer's disease, had a lockbox with $3,800 and a pistol taken from his house on Friday night. The intruder pushed Thompson onto his bed and took the money the U.S. Navy veteran had been saving for car repairs, his daughter and police said.

Numerous people have been offering aid, including free auto repairs and cash contributions. A collection of money, cards and well wishes for Thompson is being organized via Facebook.

She said people have been asking how to help and the owners of a Girard flower shop have set something up using Facebook.

Nancy Michaelson Briody and Beth Briody Whitford of Beth's Flowers have information about the collection on their Facebook pages. They are calling it "Helping WW 2 vet, Fred Thompson, feel that people DO care."

The information is available at http://www.facebook.com/events/470601489652201/.

Briody said contributions for Thompson can be sent in care of Beth's Flowers, 311 Main St. West, Girard, PA 16417. She said well wishes, cards and donations also are being taken at Jules Salon in Waterford. An owner there couldn't be reached for comment.

Checks should be made out to Thompson, Briody said. She said she'll see that he receives everything before Christmas.

She said she wanted to help after reading in Monday's Erie Times-News about what happened to Thompson. Additional collection sites and events could be coming, Briody said.